Jazz @ Suns 2-15-11

[Mainstreet]

He is. Robin and Gortat made him look good tonight. As good as they were last game against the Jazz, they were that bad tonight.

On the other hand, Frye and Pietrus were that much better than the last game. Nash was his usual self in both

I guess you're right. What would the Suns do with a bruiser like Al Jefferson.

 

[Evil Ash]

I guess you're right. What would the Suns do with a bruiser like Al Jefferson.

I like Jefferson but some people drastically overrate him. He's inconsistent anymore due to his injury problems and is on a bad contract.

We wanted someone to run the pick and roll with Nash. Jefferson is not that guy

 

[Chaplin]

Channing. Frye.

That is all.

 

[Chaplin]

Seriously though, you can probably arguably name 5 better Power Forwards in the NBA at this minute than Channing, but can you name 6? I'm not so sure.

His real test will be consistency.

 

[desertdawg]

Channing. Frye.

That is all.

The Frye high is fully understandable. That cat is one that is improving his game, we always knew he could get hot, but it aint just his shot no more. Homie defends the friggin court and runs in for rebounds. He aint streaking down the court to act like Reggie Miller. He is playing a good game, nuthin but muchos propeneros.

 

[BC867]

Funny how all the Frye haters are quiet.

It's not personal. Until Channing shows fire consistently, he is going to be criticized.

 

[Evil Ash]

Seriously though, you can probably arguably name 5 better Power Forwards in the NBA at this minute than Channing, but can you name 6? I'm not so sure.

His real test will be consistency.

He could've gone off for 50 tonight if we didn't get away from him after that great 1st qtr he had. He needs to continue to improve his game inside the arc and to be aggressive.

One of the problems that the young players on the team seem to have right now is not being aggressive enough.

 

[ninous26]

Heart attack Cardinals.... Heart attack Suns.

 

[carey]

Seriously though, you can probably arguably name 5 better Power Forwards in the NBA at this minute than Channing, but can you name 6? I'm not so sure.

His real test will be consistency.

P. Gasol
Griffin
Love
Amare'
Duncan
Garnett
---------------
Aldridge
Nene'
Z. Randolph
D. West
E. Brand

I think with his recent play he's definitely in this bottom group of guys somewhere. If only he could score consistently. I wrote on Real GM that I thought he could put up LMA type numbers when given starters minutes. He plays the most minutes on the team by far right now. I don't think 15 & 9 is out of the realm of possibility.

 

[jagu]

P. Gasol
Griffin
Love
Amare'
Duncan
Garnett
---------------
Aldridge
Nene'
Z. Randolph
D. West
E. Brand

I think with his recent play he's definitely in this bottom group of guys somewhere. If only he could score consistently. I wrote on Real GM that I thought he could put up LMA type numbers when given starters minutes. He plays the most minutes on the team by far right now. I don't think 15 & 9 is out of the realm of possibility.

If he can get consistency I think 15 and 7 would be reasonable. Being a close observer of Frye, I can tell you he is playing a lot harder now, a lot smarter, and he closed up a lot of faults in his defensive game.

 

[BC867]

Gortat again showed that he might be the best center we've ever had (aside from Amare).

Make that our best "pure" Center and you won't have to mention Amar'e to enjoy it.

I like Jefferson but some people drastically overrate him. He's inconsistent anymore due to his injury problems and is on a bad contract.

We wanted someone to run the pick and roll with Nash. Jefferson is not that guy.

From what I saw, a lot of Jefferson's points came from jump shots away from the basket. We already have a Power Forward like that.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Seriously though, you can probably arguably name 5 better Power Forwards in the NBA at this minute than Channing, but can you name 6? I'm not so sure.

His real test will be consistency.

C'mon Chap, he's playing alright, but this statement is just pure insanity. For someone I consider to be a pretty knowledgeable NBA fan, this may be the most ridiculous thing you've ever said.

I can name ten no brainers off the top of my head:

Love, Amare, Dirk, Bosh, Randolph, Boozer, KG, Josh Smith, Tim Duncan, Gasol, that's ten already, Griffin, West, Aldridge, Scola, Jefferson.

FIFTEEN already, and I could probably make an argument for at least another 5. Channing is a below average starter at PF. Top 5 is pure comedy.

 

[Chaplin]

C'mon Chap, he's playing alright, but this statement is just pure insanity. For someone I consider to be a pretty knowledgeable NBA fan, this may be the most ridiculous thing you've ever said.

I can name ten no brainers off the top of my head:

Love, Amare, Dirk, Bosh, Randolph, Boozer, KG, Josh Smith, Tim Duncan, Gasol, that's ten already, Griffin, West, Aldridge, Scola, Jefferson.

FIFTEEN already, and I could probably make an argument for at least another 5. Channing is a below average starter at PF. Top 5 is pure comedy.

There's a reason I said "AT THIS MINUTE". I guess you just didn't read that.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

There's a reason I said "AT THIS MINUTE". I guess you just didn't read that.

What does that mean, at this minute? I'd much rather have all those players "at this minute" as well. If you said, "Channing Frye was a top 5 PF during the first quarter of the game against the Jazz", you probably would be right. Other than that, it makes no sense.

 

[Chaplin]

What does that mean, at this minute? I'd much rather have all those players "at this minute" as well. If you said, "Channing Frye was a top 5 PF during the first quarter of the game against the Jazz", you probably would be right. Other than that, it makes no sense.

OK, you win. Too bad you don't get a prize. It was said with a little tongue-in-cheek, but you hilariously took it way over the top. Congrats.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

OK, you win. Too bad you don't get a prize. It was said with a little tongue-in-cheek, but you hilariously took it way over the top. Congrats.

Most t in c comments don't start with "seriously", but I'll take you word for it. I ain't trippin!

 

[Mainstreet]

OK, you win. Too bad you don't get a prize. It was said with a little tongue-in-cheek, but you hilariously took it way over the top. Congrats.

This is basketball Chaplin. Don't let them back you down.

 

[elindholm]

This is basketball Chaplin. Don't let them back you down.

Can we start a five-second count?

 

[DeAnna]

I have to say - I am really loving Gortat's play. His defense during the last seconds in the game are what sealed the win.

 

[BC867]

I have to say - I am really loving Gortat's play. His defense during the last seconds in the game are what sealed the win.

You're right. 'Too bad that doesn't show in the box score next to his name.

That is one of the reasons why I would like to see Gortat's defense (and rebounding -- or boxing out for Frye to grab the boards) from the start of the game.

Gortat's confidence and swagger would spread among the team. 'Much better than Lopez's apparent lack of confidence, weak hands and flaky behavior.

Competition is partially psychological. Gortat is a plus. His over-study (can't say under-study while he is a starter) is a minus.

 

[Chaplin]

You're right. 'Too bad that doesn't show in the box score next to his name.

That is one of the reasons why I would like to see Gortat's defense (and rebounding -- or boxing out for Frye to grab the boards) from the start of the game.

Gortat's confidence and swagger would spread among the team. 'Much better than Lopez's apparent lack of confidence, weak hands and flaky behavior.

Competition is partially psychological. Gortat is a plus. His over-study (can't say under-study while he is a starter) is a minus.

We all agree that Lopez is lacking, but we cannot disregard the fact that all those 4th quarter meltdowns happened with Gortat and not Lopez on the floor. Everyone wants to give Gortat a free pass, but he is almost always involved in our mid- to late-game meltdowns.

 

[jagu]

When our backup guards come in, the offense stalls. I can't blame Gortat for the meltdowns, he might be on the court at that time but its most definitely not his fault that the meltdowns are occuring.

 

[Chaplin]

When our backup guards come in, the offense stalls. I can't blame Gortat for the meltdowns, he might be on the court at that time but its most definitely not his fault that the meltdowns are occuring.

Ah ha. So then how come it's Lopez's fault that we get off to bad starts? You can't live by that double standard.

 

[BC867]

When our backup guards come in, the offense stalls. I can't blame Gortat for the meltdowns, he might be on the court at that time but its most definitely not his fault that the meltdowns are occuring.

Yup. Our dependence on a 20-10 Point Guard and his super-unique ball handling skills is so reminiscent of Kevin Johnson and his three 20-10 seasons.

We never rose to the top as a team because KJ was so necessary for the Suns 50-win seasons. When he rested, the chemistry disappeared. Because subs, whether veterans or newbies, are not All-Star 20-10 players.

KJ's holding the ball and driving to the basket with the game on the line became so predictable -- and defensible. And it sure neutralized and pissed off Barkley.

At least, Nash knows the best times to facilitate and the times he needs to score. I appreciate and respect that.

 

[Magnus]

Ah ha. So then how come it's Lopez's fault that we get off to bad starts? You can't live by that double standard.

How was that double standards? He said it right. The backup PG's are not that good. On the other hand, you have Lopez who can't play well even with a star PG. You have a point in the fact that you can't solely blame individuals because it's all about team effort, but Lopez certainly affects the start by doing nothing useful on either side of the court.

That's just how it is right now, Lopez is not very good. And there's only one reason to it, and that's confidence. The same thing that was holding Gortat back when he first arrived. It's not like Lopez can't play, we've seen him have his moments, but keeping a calm, level-headed and confident attitude is about as much important as actually having the talent to play. So hopefully starting him will, over time, improve his game, so I'm not against it. It might hurt the Suns a bit if he underperforms, but in the long run it might help even more, and as long as the Suns win the game, it doesn't really matter.